...The proven squad led by team principal Wolfgang Fischer is bringing a new bike to the competition in 2013 - the "Speedbrain 450 Rally". Joan Barreda and Paulo Goncalves will be aboard machinery already known from previous race activities conducted under the "Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain" banner.

The in-house developed race motorcycle showed its worth with a debut win at the Pharaons Rally 2012 and furthermore with four stage victories during the Dakar 2013. Now a new phase begins with the bike being raced under the manufacturer name Speedbrain.

The Speedbrain Rally Team has opted for a busy schedule to start the season. There are three major events scheduled within the next six weeks for the Bavarian outfit. First there are the two opening rounds of the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship to be held on the Arabian Peninsula. The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Sealine Rally in Qatar are forming a challenging double header to begin with. Then in May the Powerdays
2013 - held near Leipzig as part of the Baja 300 - see the team´s first display on German soil.

Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is offering 2,000 kilometres of riding and racing through the desert. The race is a respected highlight in the calendar each season and opens the FIM Cross Country Rally World Championship yet again. This Saturday (6 April) sees a short but demanding special stage at Yas Island, right next to the famous F1 circuit, before the following five days will force the riders to their limits. The participants are facing tremendous amounts of sand and later massive dunes in the heat of the Liwa desert. The field returns to Yas Island on 11 April. The ambitions are high within the Speedbrain camp, as Barreda and Goncalves both stood on the podium last year, placing second and third overall.

Sealine Qatar Rally
The race in the emirate of Qatar is getting underway on 22 April. The event is somewhat shorter than the Abu Dhabi opener, confronting the athletes with a total distance of 1,500 km. The organisers have announced a new route for this year´s edition. Rally pundits expect a tight race and four difficult days.

Powerdays/Baja 300
The Speedbrain Rally Team won´t find much rest after returning from the Arabian Peninsula. The next stop is on home territory from 9 to 11 May. Held near Leipzig, the Baja 300 offers a two-day format with a 50-km loop that has to be completed several times each time. The Speedbrain squad isn´t necessarily competing for silverware, but rather to present itself to the fans and to provide a look behind the scenes of the team.
Riders and mechanics will be available to the public.

Speedbrain Team principal Wolfgang Fischer: "We´ve worked hard since returning from the Dakar and we are very well positioned for the 2013 season. We have a brilliant bike, top-notch riders with Joan and Paulo and a proven team setup. Additionally, we will have U.S. rider Quinn Cody further strenghtening our programme in Qatar. Many of the world´s best riders are competing at the first two rounds and we intend to be front-runners. At the Baja 300 we are looking forward to meeting and greeting the fans and make ourselves available. These are interesting weeks ahead for us. Thanks to all our partners who lend their support in the upcoming season, especially Monster Energy."